There is no better way to enjoy the stunning beauty of an Elliot Lake winter than while skimming past it on a pair of skis. For the adventurer, the Deer Trail driving tour offers a multitude of opportunities to explore remote back country trails. Because of its location at the heart of the rocky Canadian Shield, Elliot Lake gets cold snowy winters that are ideal for cross country skiing.

Cross-country skiing is a wonderfully safe and healthy way for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the winter season and the stunning landscapes of Elliot Lake and the region. Within 5 minutes from the city centre, there are two well groomed looped trails from 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) to 15 kilometers (7 miles). Both offer excellent terrain for novices right up to experts, with rest and warming areas strategically located along the trail. For the more daring, there are many back-country trails along the shores of frozen lakes that can be enjoyed.

The Spine Cross Country ski trail offers loops from 2 to 20 kilometres in length (1/2 to 12 miles) perfect for novices to experts. The trail follows the south shore of Elliot Lake through 300 year old hemlock stands and smaller lakes to loop back to the plowed parking lot adjacent to Spine Beach.

The Elliot Lake area offers endless opportunities to explore nature's beauty on skis. Cross-country skiers can enjoy several groomed trails within the City limits and endless kilometers of ungroomed back country roads and trails. The Spine Road Trail offers 5 separate loops of tracked groomed trails ranging in length from 3.5 to 15 kilometers to challenge the novice and expert alike. The fifth loop, a new addition to the trail system, is designed for the good intermediate skier wishing to update their skills to advanced.